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VOL. XV, NO. 05, May 2019

Ministerial Miscellany

By Rev. Annie Kopko

Hello dear friends, this month is the beginning of Rama-dan starting May 5th. It is a month of fasting and prayer for Muslims. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim Calen-dar, this year beginning May 5th until June 4th. Ramadan is one of the 5 pillars of Islam, beginning with Testimony of Faith. “there is no true God but God and Mohammed is the messenger of God. Second: Prayer. Third: Giving Zakat (support of the needy) Fourth: Fasting during Ramadan for Spiritual Growth. Fifth, Pilgrimage to Mekkah, once in a lifetime for one physically and financially able. Ali Hussein came to speak to us in February and subse-quently gave a month long class on Tuesday evening, Intro-duction to Sufism(mystical Islam). He will be back in June to do another class on Tuesday evening, right after the end of Ramadan. Kamau Ayubbi is an imam at the Sufi center in Flint. He taught a class in April on Sufi chanting and movement. He will also be back with us later on. What makes these two teachers so special is how one feels the blessing of unconditional love and inspiration they offer. There are many events in May to enjoy. For additional information check the insert in the Sunday bulletin and/or the website. Many events occur weekly and are listed there. Tuesday evening May 7th, at 6:30PM right after the pot-luck, we will host the Death Café, discussions about any-thing about death(and life). Thursday, May 9th, Layla Ananda will lead Singing for Comfort, at 7PM. Join us for easy to learn and easy to sing music. Saturday, May 11th, at 8PM will be Café 704 with Laz Slomovitz and a musical tribute to his wife Helen. We will also have Artisan 704 with handmade crafts for sale. 20% of sales comes back to Interfaith. Friday, May 31st at 6PM begins a 24 hour Peace Genera-tor, led by Craig Harvey. This is a time of silent meditation for the peace of the World. May you have a wonderful and fulfilling month of May

as we start to really warm up. I am ready for warm.

Many Blessings, Many Blessings, Many Blessings, Many Blessings, AnnieAnnieAnnieAnnie

Happy Mother’s Day

CMM

Community page

Peggy’s Column

Youthful Spirits

Fundraiser flyer

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This month we're giving thanks and recognition to Steve Orlowski. He is a pillar of support and positivity here at Interfaith. Recently, his help with getting some bigger donated items sold has been a huge impact on the flow of the Center. Steve was born and raised in Grand Rapids, where he developed a love for lakes and water. There's got to be a good story here- seems like a good conversation starter next time you run into Steve at Interfaith! “About 40 years ago the Spirit dropped us off to set-tle in Adrian. We raised our 4 children there and my wife has successfully kept me out trouble. I am in re-mission as they all have grown and are on their own adventures.” Steve and his great partner and wife Sheila, began “hanging around Interfaith” about 5 years ago. He is a recovering Catholic that was drawn to the “Center because of the open thinking and encourage-ment to develop one’s self and explore life and one’s own spiritually.” It is a good sign if the Center is at-tracting people like Steve. He is a sincere, openhearted person himself, and engaging him in conversation or in a “Namaste” will help you feel you're in the right place. Steve settled into the insurance field for a ca-reer. He's learned the ins and outs of all that it entails. He's been involved “in many phases, from sales to claims, from running my own agency to working out of my house part time during retirement.” Basically, he's used something most of us try not to think about- as an avenue to help others. It's become a platform for him to “take care of individuals needs”. He also prioritizes and enjoys the challenge of “coming up with creative solu-tions to protect people.” And he's proud of the fact that most of these people become friends. “Two thoughts that I always respond to are: 1) The same old thinking will get you the same old

results and 2) Never underestimate the power of music to change

lives.”

Thank you Steve, those are beautiful words

to live by. We are grateful you are with us

in community!

By Jaclyn Morrow

Community Member Community Member Community Member Community Member

of the Monthof the Monthof the Monthof the Month

May

Birthday Babies

1 Kellie Love

8 Lindsay Passmore

15 Craig Brann, Judy Sauer,

Rob Michalowski

19 Dave Bell

22 Lisa Pappas

24 Rose Wisniewski

25 Idgie Patterson

26 Tommy Kaminski 21!

May Talks

5 Tracy Worcester “Acts of Creation” 12 Gretchen Leonhardt “Quitting to Get Ahead” 19 Ali Hussain, PhD. “In Living Color: Divine Shades and Hues” 26 Rev. Dwight Wilson - topic TBA

May Music

5 Laz Slomovits 12 Jeanne Adwani 19 All of Us 26 Katie Geddes

We regularly need to add to our pool of people who help to set-up and clean-up for potlucks – See Ted We want responsible people to set up and tidy up the sanctuary before or after the service – See Annie We can always use treats for after Service – See Ted or just bring them in We could use people at the Welcome table on the fourth and fifth Sunday of the month – See Bob We need people to help with transportation –see Donald, the Transportation Coordinator. We need a people to help with the new Cub 704 designed to attract the young -- See Donald APPRECIATION THANKS TO: Vicki Davinich and Tracy Worcester who have agreed to serve on the Board of Trustees THANKS TO: Nancy Biehn, Erik Nowakowski, Delores Rubio-Turtle, Susan Thompson and Mary Alice Truit who have agreed to continue their service on the Board of Trustees.

Volunteer Coordinator Corner

By Bob Hopkins

This space will be used to identify volunteer needs and appreciation as of April 21, 2019

THE HEART AND SOUL OF BIRD

WATCHING By Peggy River Singer

My apartment complex on Ford Lake was built into a strip of forested land along the eastern shore. The lake itself and the surrounding woods offer a popular stop-over spot for migrating birds. The year-round variety of feathered neighbors is one of my favorite aspects of living here. Ducks and other waterfowl have always been favorites of mine; and I quickly learned that the more I stared at them through binoculars, the more likely it was that they would move to the other side of the lake to avoid my intrusive energy.

Birds and other animals are fully "plugged in" to the ener-getic world around us, in all its unseen complexity; and this permits instant communication among them. It also helps them pick up on our energies, especially our emo-tional energies. They can easily perceive when they're being watched by humans, especially when that attention is magnified by the unblinking "eyes" of binocular or cam-era lenses.

Last spring, I spent a good bit of time trying to figure out the species of a mystery bird with a distinctive song. Like many warblers, he was skittish around humans. He would-n't allow me to get close enough to see the field marks that would have helped me identify him; and whenever I tried to focus my binoculars on him, he zipped away into the trees.

I'll bet you can guess what the problem was: My scientifi-cally trained left brain really wanted to find out what kind of warbler he was! After all, it's exciting to spot a bird you haven't seen before, and I could share the news on my neighborhood blog. But even though I offered Reiki to the bird, my stubborn determination to capture his identity overpowered Reiki's gentle energy, and convinced him to

keep his distance.

Finally, I reminded myself that the forest is a different world, and I would always be a guest of those who dwelled there. In order to be a considerate visitor, I would need to let go of my human desire to do whatever I wanted; and soften my energy so it would be heart-based.

With that in mind, the next time I heard that special song, I put away the binoculars, leaned up against a tree, and sent loving Reiki energy toward the singer. I told him I'd love to meet him face to face for a conversation, but only if he was comfortable with that nearness. And I assured him that whatever he decided to do would be fine with me, and

his wishes would be respected.

A few moments later, he fluttered into some brush about 20 feet away. Close enough to show me he was thinking about my invitation, but far enough away for him to feel safe. Warblers are very active birds, so he didn't stay still for long, but I got the message! Though I once had won-dered why he had tolerated my persistence so long, now I feel that he was intentionally teaching me something im-portant.

This fresh approach has served me well in countless simi-lar situations: A feisty little Carolina Wren approached quite close, and assumed one pose after another so I could see all his field marks (look for the peach-colored breast). A Gray Catbird serenaded me with his glorious liquid song from a perch only three feet away, and tilted his head to show me his black cap. A Sharp-shinned Hawk resting on our bird feeder made sure I could see the markings on her tail and face. A Redstart concealed in deep brush showed me the red-orange chevron on his wing, which was all I needed to see to know his name.

Can you FEEL the difference between saying: "Now I've identified that bird and I can add it to my Life List"; and

"Now I know what kind of bird he is"? That energy tells an

animal a lot about you as an individual human, and

whether you can be trusted to offer no harm.

You can apply the ideas I've described any time you go into nature, with just about any kind of animal; and you don't need to be an animal communicator or Reiki practi-tioner. Simply project peaceful thoughts; or visualize you and the animal close together. Your positive energy, re-spect, and desire to SHARE a space or an experience -- instead of trying to dominate or control it or take some-thing from it -- will be universally understood.

P.S. I'm still looking forward to figuring out that warbler if he stops by for a visit again this spring. If you're wonder-ing why I don't just ASK him what kind of bird he is, it's not that simple. He might tell me his personal name, but it's likely he won't know (or care) what species name hu-mans have given him!

AUTHOR BIO

Peggy River Singer is a heart-centered animal communi-cator, medium, faerie ally, and Reiki practitioner who has been writing all her life. She combines her gift for com-munications with her psychic abilities to help create har-monious relationships among all who share the Earth. Connect by phone at 734-548-0194; and by email at new-bluecanoe@aol.com. She shares her experiences and in-

sights on her blog, angelsfairiesandlife.wordpress.com.

Love, Light, and LaughterLove, Light, and LaughterLove, Light, and LaughterLove, Light, and Laughter Heide, Kellie, Tommy, Dawn,, and the Youthful SpiritsHeide, Kellie, Tommy, Dawn,, and the Youthful SpiritsHeide, Kellie, Tommy, Dawn,, and the Youthful SpiritsHeide, Kellie, Tommy, Dawn,, and the Youthful Spirits

Grocery Card Fundraiser (“Scrip” program) Update

Background:

This is a way for local food stores to contribute to Interfaith about 3-5% of whatever you spend at these stores. It costs you nothing more, and it really does help the Center. The only place that still requires actually buying cards at the Center is Peoples Food Co-op. For questions or to buy cards you can find Craig Harvey in the social hall after service, or phone Craig at 734-971-8576. And here are the details about each store's program (Kroger, Busch's, Arbor Farms, and People's Food Co-op).

Kroger shoppers:

Please look at the bottom of your Kroger receipt and verify that it includes the following no-tice. If it doesn’t, then please sign yourself up!

To link your Kroger-Plus account to Interfaith just go to:

https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow/

Look at the "Community Rewards" section of your account info and edit it as needed to make the Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth (#82808) your preferred organization. Whenever you go shopping, just do your usual swiping your Kroger-Plus card or entering your phone number to identify yourself to the system. It may take a couple weeks for you to be fully in the system, after which the bottom of your receipts will always mention Interfaith.

Busch's:

If you don't have a Busch's MyWay account, you first need to do that at http://buschs.com. Then connect your MyWay account to the Interfaith Center using their "Cash for Education" feature. - To enroll in Cash for Education log into your MYWAY* account and select Cash for Educa-tion from the dropdown menu underneath your name. - Choose up to four organizations that you would like to support per quarter. - Be sure to use your phone number at checkout. Reminder: You must have a valid email address and opt-in to receive emails to participate in this program. Please also note that participants will need to re-enroll on an annual basis (easier after you have your MyWay account).

Arbor Farms:

No cards or phone number to worry about! All you need to do is tell the cashier that you want to credit the Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth (or just say "Interfaith Church" which they recognize more easily). You just have to remember to mention it every time you shop.

Peoples Food Co-op:

Buy $50 or $100 card(s) from Craig at Interfaith. When you use them up, buy more of them at the Center. You can pay with cash or check made out to the Interfaith Center (or just "ICSG").